Bangladeshi fighters from Liberation War recall India’s support at Vijay Diwas event

Indian and Bangladesh army exchange greetings on the occasion of 53rd Vijay Diwas, at the Agartala Integrated Check Post (ICP) on Monday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

The 53rd Vijay Diwas celebrations were observed at Fort William in Kolkata, the headquarters of Eastern Command, on Monday. A nine-member delegation from Bangladesh was present for the function. This, even as tensions prevail in relations with Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh delegation comprised eight mukti joddhas and one serving Brigadier General of the Bangladesh Army, Mohammed Aminur Rahman. The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command, Lt. General Ram Chandra Tewari, was the senior most Indian Army officer.

Members of the Bangladesh delegation recounted their memories of the Bangladesh War of Liberation in 1971 and the role of the Indian Army and Its leadership.

Major General (Retd.) Abdus Salam Chaudhary was 17 years old when he started fighting the Liberation War as a mukti joddha in Sylhet. “All I had was ambition and ammunition to fight the war,” he said.

India ‘stood beside us’

The mukti joddha recounted how “Indira Gandhi stood beside us, how India stood beside us.”

“They gave all kinds of support, training, food, everything. That’s how our relations were founded, and they are continuing. That’s why we come every year for Vijay Diwas. Personally, I visit India at least once a year for various reasons. We have friends, relatives, doctors to meet. That way, our relationship is unique,” he said.

Lieutenant Colonel (Retd.) Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir said that the political situation unfolding in Bangladesh is temporary. “We have to wait and see how it improves. Anything that helps in the betterment of people would be appreciated,” the 73-year-old mukti joddha said.

War veterans from the Indian side, like Wing Commander (Retd.) D. J. Claire also reminisced about their days fighting in the Bangladesh Liberation War. Mr. Claire highlighted how he fought the war alongside his father, Major General H. S. Claire, who he said was the first Indian army officer to enter Pakistani General Niazi’s office after Pakistani forces surrendered in Dhaka.

Inhuman cruelties

“I have not forgotten a single day of the war,” 1947-born Colonel (Retd.) Suresh Kumar Sharma told The Hindu. “We went there not as liberators. We went there to fight the inhuman cruelties Bangladeshis were facing at the hands of Pakistani forces. We saw what they were doing to the local population,” he said. The Bangladesh Liberation War veteran added that the ongoing socio-political situation in Bangladesh is “disheartening and saddening to him.”

The Vijay Diwas celebrations were marked by the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial at Fort William, accompanied by a salute by veterans and serving officers and a military tattoo. This year there was speculation about Bangladeshi participation amidst growing tensions between the two countries.

West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose recounted the role played by the Indian Armed Forces and said that not only for India, but for the entire democratic world, this day marks the liberation of people from oppression. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “I will never forget the role played by India and West Bengal in the Bangladesh freedom movement.”